Post by Floyd Looney on Jan 12, 2010 9:53:03 GMT -5
I will go back and speak with the Emperor, surely he doesn't mean to send me on such a mission? He stopped the chariots outside the gate and tried to enter but was stopped by those guarding it. He demanded to speak with someone in authority but the highest authority that would come to the gate was a lictor to a proconsul.
The man regarded Floydius with a smirk. "What could you want here?"
"I need to speak with the Emperor about this assignment"
"The duty you have been appointed to will not be changed, Captain. The Emperor is adamant that this be done."
"There has to be some mistake, this could be a suicide mission"
"Then it is a pity we have but one life to give for our Caesar and our Empire"
Floydius was glad he parked his chariot, held by a slave, out of earshot. The lictor and the soldiers at the gate were openly mocking him.
"I am a friend to Emperor Ioannes..."
This was greeted with scornful laughter. "Friend is it?" The lictor derided "You are a play thing. A toy with a pull string, a puppy on a leash. Friend, yes, I suppose the puppy would think his master is a friend no matter how often he gets kicked. You've really never realized any of this?"
My right hand thoughtlessly moved toward the sheathed knife on my belt and I saw the soldiers grips on their spears tighten. I move my hand away from the knife, there was no way I would get to the lictus through the gate. The proconsuls' lictus himself was younger and stronger than I and no doubt had access to better weapons.
I saluted them mockingly and turned back to my chariot, laughter rained down on my back as I climbed on. The slave looked frightened, he knew my moods. I expect my face was red with hot blood surging through its veins.
So there it was, it seems as if everyone in the imperium but I knew of this. That I was little more than a project for the Emperors' entertainment. I suppose this started from the moment I was found bloodied in the alley, my gratitude used against me. Apparently the Emperor was no longer amused by me, throwing me into barbarian lands on some foolish errand.
I had no choice. I had to play this ... game. Quintus thinks its a suicide mission, who am I to argue with that judgement? "Most trusted Captains?" the Emperor had called us, I suppose he didn't know that some functionary would tell me the truth of my true place in the order. My command is a reserve force, I audit grainaries!
It was confusing, my best guess is that the Empire is in some dire trouble. Not that I really care at this point.
I had stopped without realizing it, outside the home of Granulus. I guess I would go to the house of Quintus after all. I wonder if Quintus would have enough to drink?
The man regarded Floydius with a smirk. "What could you want here?"
"I need to speak with the Emperor about this assignment"
"The duty you have been appointed to will not be changed, Captain. The Emperor is adamant that this be done."
"There has to be some mistake, this could be a suicide mission"
"Then it is a pity we have but one life to give for our Caesar and our Empire"
Floydius was glad he parked his chariot, held by a slave, out of earshot. The lictor and the soldiers at the gate were openly mocking him.
"I am a friend to Emperor Ioannes..."
This was greeted with scornful laughter. "Friend is it?" The lictor derided "You are a play thing. A toy with a pull string, a puppy on a leash. Friend, yes, I suppose the puppy would think his master is a friend no matter how often he gets kicked. You've really never realized any of this?"
My right hand thoughtlessly moved toward the sheathed knife on my belt and I saw the soldiers grips on their spears tighten. I move my hand away from the knife, there was no way I would get to the lictus through the gate. The proconsuls' lictus himself was younger and stronger than I and no doubt had access to better weapons.
I saluted them mockingly and turned back to my chariot, laughter rained down on my back as I climbed on. The slave looked frightened, he knew my moods. I expect my face was red with hot blood surging through its veins.
So there it was, it seems as if everyone in the imperium but I knew of this. That I was little more than a project for the Emperors' entertainment. I suppose this started from the moment I was found bloodied in the alley, my gratitude used against me. Apparently the Emperor was no longer amused by me, throwing me into barbarian lands on some foolish errand.
I had no choice. I had to play this ... game. Quintus thinks its a suicide mission, who am I to argue with that judgement? "Most trusted Captains?" the Emperor had called us, I suppose he didn't know that some functionary would tell me the truth of my true place in the order. My command is a reserve force, I audit grainaries!
It was confusing, my best guess is that the Empire is in some dire trouble. Not that I really care at this point.
I had stopped without realizing it, outside the home of Granulus. I guess I would go to the house of Quintus after all. I wonder if Quintus would have enough to drink?